HEIDI DUCKLER DANCE THEATRE

CROSS CULTURAL CONVERSATIONS MODERATOR- JOE SMOKE, Director, Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs 

Joe Smoke received a bachelor’s degree in Art and Archaeology with a dual emphasis on American Studies and the World History of Photography from Princeton University in 1983.  He moved to Los Angeles in 1989 to finish his graduate degree at UCLA (1991).  From 1991-1998 Joe worked as a non-profit art gallery director, college professor, graphic designer, social service fundraiser and LGBTQ community education coordinator. Joe became an Arts Manager for the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) in 1998 and was promoted to Director of Cultural Grant Programs in 2004. In this position he supervises an annual peer-review process resulting in approximately 2.2 million dollars of support to more than 270 LA-area artists and arts/cultural organizations.